Draft rigging



Oct. 17, 1939. 5, BARROWS 2,176,651

' DRAFT RIGGING Filed Feb. 14, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 lillu. .MHW

.Dona/d' j BQWPOWS Oct. 17, 19 9.

n. s. BARROWS DRAFT RIGGING Filed Feb. 14, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 a Z g 1f :1 I. i I, g "17F," g p Ii? 7m. m 1 ,1 J F W U i E Mil fgu Oct, 17, 9-VD. s. BARROWS DRAFT RIGGING 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 14, 1934 QMWWN.MW Q AN v Q w on .QQJ!

Filed Feb. 14, 1934 D. s. BARR'OWS .6 1

DRAFT HIGGINGI 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 l I l l l l l gwuentoz Patented Oct. 17,1939 UNITED STATES PAT EN T OFFICE DRAFT RIGGING Application February14, 1934', Serial No. 711,247

13- Claims.

Thisapplication is acontinuation in part of my application'Serial No.391,595 filed September 10, 1929, for Draft rigging.

This invention relates to railway draft rigging 5 and the combinationwith such rigging of friction shock absorbing mechanism and, moreparticularly, to a form of shock absorbing or cushioning mechanism whichis double-ended and contains cushioning means in each end, the center orintermediate portion of the casing being adapted for connection toassociated draft sills or cheek plates thereon, whereby a greater amountof cushioning capacity may be made available under theaction of buffingforces than under the action of draft forces.

The principal object of my invention, generally considered, istoprovidea friction draft gear or cushioning mechanism comprising. ahousing. receiving laterally movable friction blocks with a wedge blockfitting therebetween, and resilient means disposed between-said frictionblocks and the sides of said housing forurging said friction blocks intoengagement'with said wedge blocks, means being desirably provided forholding the elementsassembledwith the housing, even when detached fromassociated. draft rigging.

An object of my invention is the provision of a double-end draft gear orcushioning mechanism adapted for series app-licationto provide a greaterbufiing than draft. energy absorbing capacity-with the housing thereofslotted for receiving a draft key or other means for connection withassociated sills.

Another object of my invention is the provision of shockabsorbingmechanism comprisinga casing or housing with one -.or morepockets, each of which contains friction shoesor elements, between whichis disposed a central wedge for urging said friction elements apart, thefriction members being-retained in engagement by preferably curved platesprings-disposed between the outer elements and the adjacent walls ofthe housing.

A further object of my invention is the provision of cushioningmechanism enclosed ina housing with top, bottom and side walls andintermediate transverse walls which divide the housing into compartmentsand on which associated wedges are adapted to move for increasing thefrictional capacity.

A still further object of my invention is to provide cushioningmechanism involving a casingor housing enclosing cooperating frictionwedges and .an associated follower or followers held in place .by lugson. the outer ends of the housing,

(c1. 213*30) p I or, as an alternative, bya key extending through slotsin opposite walls. of the housing and .one of the associated wedges.

Other objects and advantages of the invention relating to the.particulararrangement and construction of the various parts will becomeapparent as the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawings illustrating my invention, the scope whereofis defined by the appended claims:

Figure 1 is apartial side elevational and partial vertical longitudinalsectional view of one embodiment of my cushioning mechanism.

Figure 2 is a partial and elevational and partial transverse sectionalview on the line 2-2 of Figa urel, looking in the direction of thearrows.

Figure 3 is a view corresponding tov Figure 1, but showing amodification.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary horizontalsectional view on theline 4.-4, ofFigure .3, looking in the direction. of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a partial .side elevational view and partial longitudinalsectional view .of another embodiment of my invention, the mechanism inthe left-hand end of thehousing. being shown in normal or free;position, with .that in the right-hand end of the housing beingillustratedin compressed or closed position.

Figure 61s a transverse sectional view on the line 66 of Figure 5,looking in the direction. of

the arrows.

Figure 7 is a transverse sectional view on the line 1-1 of Figure .5,lookingin the direction of the arrows.

Figure S. is .av detail perspective View of one of the self-lockingretainers. for the resilient mechanism.

Figure .9 is a partial side elevational and partial verticallongitudinal sectional view of a further embodiment of my invention.

. .Figure 10 is a transverse sectional view on the line I lll.ll' of.Figure9, lookingin the direction of the arrows.

Figure-11 is a view corresponding to Figure 9, but showing anothermodification.

' Figure 12-isa partialend elevation and partial transversesectionaiyiew on the line |'2-l-2 of Figure 11, looking the direction ofthe arrows.

Figure 13 is a view'corresponding to- Figure 11, but showing-a furthermodification.

Figure 14 is a transverse-sectional view on the line l4-l l of Figure13, looking in the direction of the arrows. '7 1 l V Figure 1 5 isa viewcorresponding to Figure 13, but showingan additional" modification.

, illustrated, to lighten the weight thereof.

Figure 16 is a transverse sectional view on the line I6-I6 of Figure 15,looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings in detail, like parts being designated by likereference characters, and first considering the embodiment of myinvention illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a form of double end, seriesfriction draft gear I is illustrated involving a housing or casing 2formed by side or longitudinal walls 3, 4 and 5, the walls 3 beingpreferably the normally vertical walls and the walls 4 and 5 beingrespectively the top and bottom walls, although it 'will be understoodthat I do not wish to be limited to using the gear in this position. Thewalls 3, 4 and 5 are connected and braced transversely by transversewalls 6 preferably extending from the ends of a horizontal connectingwebl. Said web 7 and the corresponding portions of the side walls 3 areprovided with a longitudinal slot 8 for receiving a' draft key. 9 orother means for connecting the housing and cushioning mechanism toassociated draft sills or cheek plates thereon "(not shown). In thepresent embodiment I. have shown th'e'cushioning mechanismassociatedwith a horizontal yoke III, the arms of which arecorrespondingly slotted to receive the key 9, the'rearmost portion ofsaid yoke preferably engaging the rear follower I2 locked in position bylugs I3 on the ends of the walls 4 and 5 "which extend toward oneanother. and overlie the upper and lower edges of said follower. Therear end of the housing 2 may be made without lugs I3.to suit a standardrear follower or filler, which'may then be used instead of the rearfollower I2. The front follower I2 is preferably locked. inposition bysimilar lugs I3 on the front of the housing. The cushioning means in thehousing 2' involves two sets of associated wedges or shoes and resilientmeans, one setdisposed forwardly of .the front partition 6 and the otherdisposed rearwardly of .the rear partition 6. Between the two partitions6 the housing is preferably cored, as The pockets or. compartments I 4forwardly and rearwardly of the front and rear partitions 6 arepreferably defined at their outer ends by flanges or webs I5 partiallyclosing theopenings into the housing and preferably-extending from theextreme edges of the side walls 3. These flanges provide upperand lower.pockets I6 in the main compartments I4. receiving upper andlower'resilient means I! which preferably take the form of sets ofcurved plate springs. Associated with eachsetof springs is a frictionshoe'orl wedge member I8 formed with double friction surfaces I9providinga 'shoulder20fat thesjunction of said surfacea'an'd normallydisposed'between said friction elements is a double wedge memberZl,formed like the friction elements I8 with. double friction surfaces 22,engaging the friction surfaces I9 on the friction elements I8 and havingshoulders 23jcooperating with the shoulders on the friction elements I8to interlock the members together. The outer or large end of each wedgemember 2I is normally engaged by the corresponding follower I2, andtheoutward relative movement of said member 2| thereby limited, and theouter surface of the front follower I2 may be engaged by the butt orstem of an associated coupler 24.,

The operation of my cushioning mechanism I may be as follows whenthecoupler stem 24 is connected to the yoke Ill-,inany usual 0r;.desiredmanner and the yoke slots 25 and corresponding slots in the cheek platesor draft sills (not shown) are extended rearwardly beyond the normalposition of the slot 8 so that under the action of buifing forces thehousing 2 is allowed to move rearwardly, while under the action of draftforces it is retained immovable or substantially so with respect to theassociated sills. When draft forces are applied to the coupler, the yokeI6 is pulled forwardly moving the rear follower I2 into the housing andpushing the associated friction element or wedge 2| between the shoes orfriction devices I8 and separating them against the resistance of thesprings I I, thereby actuating the cushioning mechanism in the rearpocket I4 only, on account of the housing 2 being held stationary by thekey 9, and utilizing only one half of the total capacity of the doubleend gear and permitting the coupler to travel only one half of the totalpermissible compression of the gear. Upon full compression, it will beseen that the movement of the follower is arrested by engagement withthe flanges, shelves or partial transverse diaphragms I5 and also by thewalls 3 of the housing which serve as limiting means and prevent thesprings from being pressed flat, thereby protecting them againstoverloads.

Under the action of buffingforces, however, the coupler stem 24 engagesthe front follower I2 pushing'the front double wedge rearwardly and atthe same time moving the housing rearwardly over the rear frictionelements, on account of the rearward elongation of the slots 25, itbeing understood that the rear portion of the yoke or rear follower isassociated with a backstop or other limiting means (not shown) foreffecting compression of the mechanism. It will, therefore, be seenthatia full compression of the gearv at both ends thereof is permittedon buff, thereby providing for not only an increased bufiing capacity,but for a coupler travel equal to the sum of the travel permitted by thefriction elements at each end of the gear. Although for convenience andeconomy in manufacture the gear is preferably made symmetrical so thatthe travel and capacity provided by each end is identicahyet this is notessential as thecapacities and travels of the two ends of the gear maybe equal or different as desired.

Although I have described a preferred manner of using-my double endgear, it is to be understood that, if desired, it may be utilized sothat the total capacity is used under both buff and draft and it mayalso be employed so that the present side walls are disposed as top andbottom walls, that is, the gear may be rotated 90 about a longitudinalaxis.

. Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures3 and 4, a gear I is there disclosed having a housing 2 provided withpartitions 6 and a slotted web I as in the previous embodiment. Thepartitions t provide compartments I 4 at each end of the housing; theouter ends of said compartments being partially closed byfianges I5leaving, however, openings 26 for receiving the resilient means H thefriction shoes I8= and the double wedge member 2|. In' the presentembodiment, the wedge member and shoes are formed with doublecooperating friction surfaces and 'shoulderscausing'interlocking betweenthe parts, the outer or. largeend of .thedouble wedge member '2I beingpreferably integral with the follower portion I 2? rather than separatetherefrom as in the firstembodiment; Instead of providing CJI lugs onthe housing to limit outward movement of the follower 12 such movementis limited in the present embodiment by forming a slot 21 in the doublewedge portion 2l and slots 28 in the side walls 3 of the housing 2 a key29, interlocked by engagement between a lug 30 on the wedge 2i and aslot 3| in said key, being received in said slots 21 and 28 to limitoutward movement of the double wedge 2i with respect to the housing. Thenecessary inward movement of the wedge Zi with respect to the housing ispermitted by the outward elongation of the slot 21, and limited byengagement between the follower l2 and the flanges l5 Although themechanism in only one end of the housing is illustrated, it will beunderstood that corresponding mechanism may be used in the other end andthat the mechanism, except as specifically described in connection withthe present embodiment, desirably corresponds with that of the firstembodiment and may be used in the same way.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures 5to 8, inclusive, a cushioning mechanism ordraft gear l is theredisclosed having a housing or casing 2 formed by side or longitudinalwalls 3 4 and 5 the walls 3 being preferably the normally vertical wallsand the walls 4 and 5 being respectively the top and bottom walls,although it will be understood that I am not limited to using the gearin this position. The walls 3 4 and 5 are connected and bracedtransversely by walls 8 preferably extending from the ends of horizontalconnecting webs or flanges l Said webs or flanges l and thecorresponding portions of the side walls 3* are provided withlongitudinal slots 8 for receiving'a draft key (not shown), or othermeans for connecting the housing and cushioning mechanism to associateddraft sills or cheek plates (not shown). In addition to the web portions'5, the transverse walls 6 are desirably braced by longitudinallyextending webs 33. The mechanism I may be associated with a horizontalyoke, as in the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, although I do not wish tobe limited to this.

The cushioning means or draft gear I involves two sets of associatedwedges or shoes and re silient means, one set disposed forwardly of thefront partition li and the other disposed rearwardly of the rearpartition 6 Between the two partitions and outwardly thereof, the wallsof the housing, as well as said partitions, are desirably apertured, asindicated at 34, 35 audit, to facilitate core removal and assembly ofthe parts. The housing is provided with a compartment or pocket M ineach end, the forward compartment being disposed forward of the frontpartition 6 and the rear compartment being disposed rearward of the rearpartition 6 Said compartments are desirably defined at their outer edgesby flanges or webs l5 partially closing openings into said compartmentsand preferably extending from the extreme edges of' the side walls 4 and5 adjoining the corresponding portions of the walls 3 These flanges [5pro-- vide-upper and lower pockets Ni in the main compartments Mreceiving upper and lower resilient means Il which desirably take theformof sets of curved plate springs. Associated with each set of springsis a wear plate 31, the end portions ofwhich are desirably notched, asindicated at 38, to receive corresponding nibs 39 which cause theindividualplates .totbe interlocked with respect to one another and saidwear plate, thereby preventing undesired lateral shifting therebetween,in a manner such as described and claimed in the Suckow Patent No.1,884,913 of October 25, 1932.

Associated with each set of springs is a friction shoe or wedge memberlS formed with a friction surface l9 engaging a corresponding frictionsurface 22* on a center wedge or spreader member 2W. As in previousembodiments, lead inserts 32 or other means formaking the frictionalaction uniform, are employed. Each central wedge member 2l desirably hasan outer portion 52 extended laterally to function as a follower forengagement with a drawbar or yoke, as the case may be, and is guided inits longitudinal movement by the adjacent portions of the webs 15'.

In order to facilitate release of the mechanism, as well as increase thecapacity of the gear, the center wedges or plungers Zl and theassociated friction shoes or wedges l8 are formed hollow or providedwith pockets receiving release springs 40, which take the form ofrelatively long coils in the present embodiment. Said release springsact at their inner ends on the transverse partitions 6 and are centeredabout projections or lugs 4| outstanding therefrom. The outer ends ofsaid springs act on annular flange portions M of the follower portionsl2 of the'- center wedges 2|". Because of said release springs, it isnot necessary to make the wedges blunt enough to be self-releasing, asin the embodiments of Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive.

In order to provide renewable wearing surfaces on the transversepartitions 5 friction plates 42 are desirably applied over the outersurfaces of said partitions for engagement by the wedges I8 and theadjacent ends of the curved plate springs H In order to preventcontraflexure, and an undesired amount of bending of the curved platesprings when the gear is compressed, as shown at the right-hand side ofFigure 5, the springengaging surfaces 43 of the wedges I8 are de+'sirably formed slightly concave cylindrically to enlargethe bearingareas and provide surfaces which correspond generally with the normalcurvature of the springs when compressed.

In order to hold the parts of the mechanism assembled, bolts 44 areprovided extending through retainers which function each as a socketwrench for tightening the associated nut 5|. Said retainers are madeself-locking by having the heads or outer end portions 52 non-circular,as shown most clearly in Figure 8, and normally nesting in correspondingportions in the center wedges ZI Washers 53 of lead, wood, or othermaterial which is readily disintegrated or destroyed, are desirablyinitially employed with the nuts 5|, so that the gear may have aninitial released length slightly shorter than the normal releasedlength,

diagonal positions, through the apertures 36 in the partitions andcenter wedge openings, when enough of the normally enclosed material hasbeen removed. r a V r r r The use and operation of the gear illustratedin Figures 5 to 8, inclusive, may correspond with that of Figures 1 and2.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures 9and '10, a gear 1 is illustrated which is single-ended rather thandouble-ended, and corresponds somewhat with the gear of Figures. 5 to 8,inclusive, turned end for end with the key slots 8 in the plunger orcentral wedge portion 21 instead of in the housing portion, the head ofsaid plunger portion 21 being enlarged to fill the draft gear pocket andformed with abutment portions 49 for outside relatively long releasesprings 40. Otherwise, the gear may correspond substantially with thatof Figures 5 to 8, inclusive, having, however, only one friction wedgeand curved plate spring pocket 14, comprising two parts or compartments16, each receiving a wear plate 31 engaged by a nest of curved platesprings 11, in turn acted on by a wedge or friction shoe 18. Some, orall, of the engaging friction surfaces of the central wedge portion 21and the lateral wedges 18 may be provided with lead inserts 32, as inprevious embodiments. In order toprovide a renewable wearing surface onthe transverse or end wall portion 15 of the housing 2, a friction plate42 is desirably applied over the inner surface of said wall 6 forengagement by the adjacent portions of the wedges 18 and the curvedplate springs 11.

In order to hold the slotted plunger member 2i assembled with thehousing 2, bolts 44 may be employed extending through adjacent flangesof said members. As in the previous embodiment, a lead or destructiblewasher 53 may be employed with each bolt to hold the parts initiallycloser together to normally facilitate assembly, while allowing saidparts to assume normal positions after the gear has been put intoservice. Cotter or other means 55, for keeping the nuts 51 in thedesired position on the bolts 44, are employed, said nuts 5! beingillustrated as of the castle type. The release springs 40 act betweenthe flange portions 49 on the slotted plunger member 21 and flanges 15on the housing 2, which latter flanges restrict the opening to thepocket 14, and their inner edge portions serve to guide the slottedplunger 21.

Although the gear illustrated in Figures 9 and 10 is of the single-endedtype, it may be made double-ended like the gear of Figures 5 to 8,inclusive, by making that portion to the left of the transverse centralplane 56 symmetrical with that to the right of said plane, as shown inFigure 9. It will also be understood that the gear may be shortenedconsiderably as by eliminating the release springs 40 and decreasing thelength of the plunger or wedge-shaped portion 21 which spreads thewedges or shoes 18, thereby forming what may be considered as a combinedshort draft gear and follower block, the wedging angles or inclinationof the friction surfaces where the center wedge 21 engages the sidewedges 18 being made self-releasing, or the inclination thereofincreased, to correspond with that of the friction surfaces in theembodiments of Figures 1 to 4, inclusive. If such is done, thewedge-shaped portion 21 and the associated wedges i8 maybe formed withinterlocking shoulders, as shown, for example, in Figure .3. In thiscase it may also be found desirable to form wall portions 4 and 5integral with the slotted portion rather than the portion which housesthe wedge blocks 18, said nests of curved plate springs 11 being thenconcave inwardly with their convex sides. slidable in operation on thewalls 4 and 5, as will be understood. A plane follower, as shown at 12in Figure 1, and normally engaging the blunt ends of the wedges 18 wouldthen take the place of the wall 6, the other ends of the springs 11being prevented from slipping off the sharp ends of the wedges 18 bymeans of flanges on said wedges overlying the ends of said springs. As afurther modification, the blunt ends of the wedges may, if desired, beprovided with spring-locating flanges to correspond with those at thesharp ends.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures11 and 12, a gear 1 is shown which corresponds with the gear 1 ofFigures 5 to 8, inclusive, except that it is singleended like the gear 1of Figures 9 and 10, and the central wedge 21 is unprovided with afollower portion and adapted for use with a follower 12. The housing 2is provided with slots 8 and 5'1, so that it may be connected withassociated cheek plates and/ or draft sills (not shown) by means of adraft key (not shown) extending transversely therethrough either way,thereby adapting said gear to be used with its long lateral dimensiondisposed either vertically or horizontally. As in the previousembodiment, the gear may be converted into one of the double-ended typeby making the parts thereof to the right of the transverse central plane56 symmetrical with those to the left of said plane.

In the present embodiment, the pocket 14 receives curved plate springs11, an associated wear plate 31 a friction plate 42 and friction wedges18 as in the embodiments of Figures 5 to 10, inclusive. In addition, thefriction wedges 18 may have associated therewith an auxiliary frictionmember 58 forming an abutment for the release springs 40 which actbetween it and an interior wall portion 59 of the central wedge 21, saidauxiliary friction member being pressed into engagement with the innerwebs 60 of the friction shoes 18, thereby serving to generate additional friction upon lateral movement of said shoes, as will beunderstood. As in the preceding embodiment, a bolt 44 serves to retainthe parts of the mechanism in assembled relation and a lead ordestructible washer 53 may be associated therewith, as previouslymentioned.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures13 and 14, a gear 1 is illustrated which may correspond with the gear 1of the preceding embodiment, except that larger internal release springmeans 40 are employed, and the auxiliary friction member 58 is omitted.In order to provide for such larger release springs, the transversepartition wall 6 is desirably inwardly embossed, as indicated at 151, toprovide abutments for the outer of the release spring means, saidembossed portion having an outwardly extending annular projection 62which serves for centering said outer release spring 40 and asanabutment for the inner release spring 63. As in preceding embodiments, abolt 44 may be employed to hold the parts in assembled relation, as willbe understood. It will also be understood that the gear, although shownas single-ended, may be converted into a double-ended gear by making theparts to the right of the transverse central plane 56 correspond withthose to the left of said plane, as shown in Figure 13. Except asspecifically disclosed, the gear of Figures 13 and 14 may correspondwith that of Figures 11 and 12.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures15 and 16, a gear i is illustrated which corresponds generally with thatof Figures 9 and 10, except that the key slot 8 is formed in the housing2 rather than in the plunger or central friction member 2 l Thisnecessitates moving the wedges 18 and associated curved plate springs Htoward the follower portion 49 of the central wedge member 2 l ,'makingit necessary to use shorter release springs M Although the gear is shownsingle-ended, it will be understood that it may be converted into adouble-ended gear by making the parts to the right of the transversecentral plane 56 correspond with those shown at the left of said planein Figure 15. It will also be understood that although four releasesprings are illustrated, I do not wish to be limited to this number, astwo placed diagonally, or some other arrangement, may be employed, ifdesired. It will also be understood that lead inserts 32 may be employedin some, or all, of the friction surfaces in this or other embodimentsof my invention.

The use and operation of the gears previously described, ifdouble-ended, may be as described for gears of the embodiment of Figures1 and 2. If single-ended, the gear may be used as a conventionalfriction draft gear, as will be understood, except that where a portionthereof is slotted to receive a draft key, the gear may be used toreplace a conventional friction draft gear and an associated slottedfront follower.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, it will be seen that I have devised an improved form of seriesdraft gear or cushioning mechanism enclosed in a housing as a unitarycushioning device and adapted for use to provide differential absorbingaction under buff and draft or so that the total capacity of thegear'need not be used under both buff and draft. The friction energyabsorbing capacity is not only provided by the engagement between thefriction surfaces on the double wedge and associated friction shoes orelements, but also by engagement of the friction shoes on the adjacentpartition, and some or all of said friction surfaces are desirablyprovided with lead inserts 32 or other means for preventing sticking andproviding smooth action for the gear. The angularity of the inclinedfriction surfaces is such that release of the gear is effected by thecurved plate springs without the necessity of 'the separate releasingsprings, except where such are used.

Although I have illustrated certain preferred embodiments, it will beunderstood that I do not wish to be limited to the exact forms disclosedas modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims without departing from the broad aspect of my invention. Althoughthe main frictional resistance is generated by the engagement of theinclined friction surfaces on the double wedges and associated frictionelements, it will be understood that the inner ends of said frictionelements preferably provide friction surfaces normally in engagementwith the transverse Walls of the housing, thereby augmenting thefrictional capacity of the mechanism.

I claim:

1. Cushioning mechanism comprising a housing slotted for receiving apositioning draft key,

friction blocks movable laterally therein, a wedge block disposedbetween said friction blocks, resilient means disposed between saidfriction blocks and the adjacent sides of said housing, and meansinterlocking said wedge block and friction blocks together.

2. Cushioning mechanism comprising a housing with intermediate partitionmeans and pockets at each end, friction blocks movable outwardly in saidpockets upon compression of the mechanism, a wedge block disposedbetween said friction blocks in each pocket, said friction blocks andwedge block being formed with cooperating shouldered portions forlimiting relative movement therebetween, and resilient means disposedbetween said friction blocks and the adjacent side walls of saidhousing.

3. In railway draft rigging, in combination with draft sills, cushioningmechanism comprising a housing mounted for longitudinal movement betweensaid sills, said housing comprising side walls and a transverse 'Wall,intermediate the ends thereof, connecting said side walls, said housingbeing formed with a pocket adjacent an end thereof, friction blocksmovable laterally in said pocket in frictional engagement with saidintermediate wall, a wedge block disposed between said friction blocksfor urging them apart, upon compression of the mechanism, with its outerend disposed beyond said pocket, and formed with Y an outer face forreceiving buffing forces, means limiting outward movement of said wedgeblock with respect tosaid housing, and resilient means disposed betweenand in engagement with said friction blocks and the side walls of saidhous- 1 4. Cushioning mechanism comprising a housing defined by wallsand constructed for movable mounting with respect to a railway vehicle,said housing having a pocket at an end, friction blocks movablelaterally in said pocket, a central wedge between the friction blocks insaid pocket, curved plate springs disposed between said friction blocksand the adjacent walls of said housing, a bolt and associated nut forholding said central wedge assembled with the housing, a washer formedof material which readily disintegrates when the mechanism. is inservice, associated therewith for making the mechanism slightly shorterinitially, and a combined socket wrench and retainer member for saidnut.

5. Cushioning mechanism comprising a housing, friction blocks laterallymovable therein, a follower, an associated wedge block portion fittingbetween said friction blocks, resilient means disposed between saidfriction blocks and the adjacent walls of the housing, and lugsextending from the ends of longitudinal walls of said housing andfitting over the adjacent edges of the follower portion for limitingoutward movement thereof.

6. Cushioning mechanism comprising a housing, friction blocks movablelaterally therein, a follower with an integral double wedge memberfitting between said friction blocks, said member being slotted, a keypassing through said slot and slots in the corresponding walls of thehousingfor limiting movement between said Wedge and housing, andresilient means disposed between said friction blocks and housing.

7. Cushioning mechanism comprising a housing, friction blocks movablelaterally therein, a follower, an associated Wedge block portion fittingbetween said friction blocks, resilient means disposed between saidfriction blocks and the adjacent side walls of the" housing, and meansex,- tending from the side walls of said housing and fitting over theadjacent edges of the follower portion for limiting movement thereof;

8. Cushioning mechanism comprising a housing, friction blocks movablelaterally therein, a follower with an integral double wedge memberfitting between said friction blocks, means for limiting outwardmovement of said wedge memberwith respect to said friction blocks,inward movement of said wedge member being limited by engagement betweensaid follower and housing, and resilient means disposed between saidfriction blocks and the corresponding side walls of the housing.

9. Cushioning mechanism comprising a. housing with a pocket considerablyshorter than the housing and defined by longitudinal and other Walls,friction blocks tapering one way only from end to end and movablelaterally in said pocket, a member with a tapered wedge portion fittingbetween said friction blocks, resilient means disposed between eachfriction block and an adjacent longitudinal wall, release spring meansacting on said member and disposed between said friction blocks, andmeans for limiting movement of said member away from said housing.

10. Cushioning mechanism comprising a housing member with a pocketdefined by longitudinal and other walls, friction blocks movablelaterally in said pocket, a wedge member with a tapered portion fittingbetween said friction blocks, resilient means urging said blocks intoengagement with said tapered portion, an auxiliary friction memberengaging transverse friction surfaces on said friction blocks, and arelease spring urging said auxiliary member from said wedge member andinto engagement with said friction blocks.

11. Cushioning mechanism comprising a housing with a pocket defined bylongitudinal and transverse walls, friction blocks movable laterally insaid pocket, a member with a tapered portion fitting between saidfriction blocks, resilient means housed in said pocket and disposedbetween each friction block and an adjacent longitudinal wall, releasespring means housed partially' in said housing and partially in saidmember and acting between transverse wall portions of said member andtransverse wall portions of said housing, intermediate the ends of saidmechanism and means for limiting movement of said member away from saidhousing.

12. Cushioning mechanism including housing means, longitudinally movablebetween associated sills, comprising side walls, pockets in said housingmeans defined by said side walls and webs extending inwardly therefrom,said webs defining an access opening in said housing, friction wedgesmovable laterally in said housing means, wedging means fitting betweensaid friction wedges and adapted to be actuated by anassociatedcouplerstem, resilient means disposed in said pockets andacting on said side walls, said resilient means being stressed bylateral movement of said friction wedges upon longitudinal movement ofsaid wedging means therebetween, and means for limiting movement of saidwedging means out of said housing means, said friction wedges andresilient means adapted to be inserted into said housing through saidaccess opening.

13. Cushioning mechanism including housing means, longitudinally movablebetween associated sills, comprising side walls, pockets in said housingmeans defined by said side walls and webs extending inwardly therefrom,friction wedges movable laterally in said housing means, wedging meansfitting between said friction wedges, guided by adjacent portions ofsaid webs, and adapted to be immediately actuated by an associatedcoupler, and resilient means disposed in said pockets and acting on saidside walls, said resilient means being stressed by lateral movement ofsaid friction wedges upon longitudinal movement of said wedging meanstherebetween.

DONALD S. BARROWS.

